Crossrail delay: Sadiq Khan under fire from angry property bosses

London mayor Sadiq Khan came under fire from property bosses on Monday in the wake of delays to the £15.4 billion Crossrail scheme.

The attacks followed Transport for London’s admission that the opening of the east-west rail link had been pushed back from December to autumn 2019.

The latest blow comes months after ministers admitted that the cost had risen by £590 million.

Mike Hussey, chief executive of developer Almacantar, said: “I would rather they get their issues sorted and open a seamless, efficient, reliable service in the autumn of 2019 than an unreliable, patchy and problematic opening this December.

“Having said that, with such a last-minute announcement and a significant delay, it does feel like Sadiq Khan was asleep at the dead man’s handle.”

Craig McWilliam, the UK head of Grosvenor, called the delay “frustrating”.

“No corners should be cut, but it’s vital we secure the reputational benefits to London of the Elizabeth Line’s opening next year.”

Ian Hawksworth, chief executive of Capital & Counties, said: “From a London point of view, the sooner it is finished the better.”

Residential focused firms also warned about potential implications from the delay.

London Central Portfolio’s chief executive Naomi Heaton said: "The delay will, without doubt, add to the woes of many London home owners located outside the heart of the capital. In a market where prices have not grown in real terms over the last year and transactions have fallen, sellers banking on the Crossrail 'premium' may well be disappointed. A double whammy because its 'hope value' was probably built into the price they originally paid.”

Matt Robinson at Nested said: “Crossrail had been one of the bright spots for the London property market. Prices have been driven up and people have even bought homes and planned their future based on promises, only to have the rug swept out from beneath their feet.”